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Armoured suits are 'too goofy' say US troops

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Andrew

Posted: May 12 2006, 06:28 AM

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Armoured suits are 'too goofy' say US troops

QUOTE

American troops have complained that a new armoured body suit designed to be worn in Iraq makes them look "goofy".

The water-cooled "alien spacesuits" are being handed out to turret gunners in their notoriously vulnerable Humvee vehicles.

The protective suit, based on those worn by bomb disposal officers, was intended to cut spiralling casualties for one of the most dangerous jobs in modern warfare.

But some troops have complained that the armour and headgear is inelegant. Others say the water-cooling system, designed for the soaring temperatures of an Iraqi summer, regularly breaks down.

Nonetheless, the suits being tested in combat by US military police units in northern Iraq have produced good results.

When a roadside bomb goes off I wouldn't be worried about how I look.

_Z_

Posted: May 12 2006, 07:52 AM

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QUOTE (Andrew @ May 12 2006, 06:28 AM)

When a roadside bomb goes off I wouldn't be worried about how I look.

Agreed, but if the suit restricts movement to any coniderable degree (which it looks like it might), that doesn't sound too good either.

The closest experience I've had is donning one of those "mummy-suits" used to train attack dogs. Wearing that wasn't much fun...

fridgetime	Posted: May 12 2006, 05:36 PM
E-7 Sergeant First Class Group: Special Forces Posts: 417 Member No.: 90 Joined: 9-November 05	Humvee gunners are sort of stationary targets ... = suit good. Generally speaking, restricted movement during combat = suit bad. I'd have to say I would be worried about movement and small arms too.

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